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ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
MU Guide
PUBLISHED BY MU EXTENSION, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/
Page 2 EQ 387
Additional soils specifications for lagoon liners are nents affected by rainfall (runoff volume and rain-
available in MDNR’s publication 10 CSR 20-8.020, fall-evaporation volume) must be based on the
Design of Small Sewage Works. wettest year in 10 years for MDNR approval.
4. Net rainfall/evaporation on the lagoon surface and
Anaerobic lagoon design — Size berm runoff. This fraction provides storage for the
Anaerobic lagoons are sized by volume. Proper net gain of rainfall minus lagoon surface evapora-
design or sizing of a lagoon ensures that sufficient tion plus berm area runoff (inside the centerline).
volume is available for treatment and the required stor- This volume is removed when the lagoon is
age period. The recommended storage period, before the pumped. For the wettest year out of 10 years, the
lagoon must be pumped down, is 365 days. The total rainfall minus evaporation varies from about 1 foot
volume of a lagoon consists of several volume fractions: per year in northwest Missouri to 3 feet per year in
southeast Missouri.
1. Minimum design or permanent volume. This frac- Similarly, dirt lot and berm runoff varies from
tion provides sufficient dilution volume for the about 2 feet per year in northwest Missouri to 3 feet
degradation of volatile solids by bacteria. This per year in southeast Missouri.
volume is not removed from the lagoon during 5. Sludge storage. Some fraction of the manure solids
pump-down operations. The design volume may be entering a lagoon remains as bottom sludge.
reduced by up to 50 percent if a settling basin or Although the sludge buildup rate has not been
solids separator is used to remove the solids. defined, most standards suggest a volume
2. Manure storage volume. This fraction provides allowance for sludge accumulation if sludge
storage for the manure volume the lagoon will removal is not accomplished during lagoon pump-
receive; it is removed when the lagoon is pumped. ing. Agitation during pumping is highly recom-
Storage periods usually range from 6 to 12 months, mended to reduce the sludge buildup.
with longer storage periods offering greater flexibil- Current MDNR guidelines do not require that
ity in scheduling pumping operations. volume be provided for sludge storage; however,
3. Runoff volume and other sources. This fraction such a provision may be advisable.
provides storage for runoff plus any wash water or 6. Freeboard. Freeboard in the range of 1 to 3 feet
other fresh water used for cleaning buildings or lot above full pool level is recommended.
areas. This volume also is removed from the lagoon
during pumping operations. Figure 1 shows the volumes considered in lagoon
Runoff from open concrete areas ranges from design throughout Missouri. Surface area will vary with
about 3 feet/year in northwest Missouri to 4.5 depth.
feet/year in southeast Missouri. It is important to Table 2 shows typical lagoon sizes for various
reduce the area draining directly into the lagoon to species of animals.These values are for reference only
prevent unnecessary pumping. Surface water, and should not be used in lieu of a specific design. For
unless needed for filling or dilution, should be more details on lagoon design, refer to Midwest Plan
diverted away from the lagoon. Volume compo- Service publication MWPS-18 or ASAE Engineering
Practice: ASAE EP403.3.
EQ 387 Page 3
Table 2. Typical sizes of livestock and poultry lagoons in Missouri (365-day storage).
Page 4 EQ 387
Submerged inlets carrying trickling flows with rela-
tively high solids content are susceptible to plugging as
solids accumulate or “float” where the lagoon water
backs up into the pipe. Frequent flushing (at least once
a day) eliminates this problem. Sewer lines with
submerged discharges, carrying trickle flows into
lagoons, should have a minimum of one foot of head
above the maximum lagoon level for each 100 feet of
run. All sewer lines should be designed with cleanouts
at 50-foot intervals.
Lagoon inlets
Inlets should be located near the center of the
longest side of the lagoon, if possible, or at several loca-
tions in large lagoons. This allows the solids to be
distributed and not allowed to accumulate near the
edge. One discharge point per acre will avoid large Figure 3. A propeller-type agitator can be used to resuspend
concentrations of solids at one point and help minimize settled solids (sludge) from the bottom of a lagoon during pump-
down.
odors during spring warm-up. Multiple inlets should be
fed equally from a distribution box.
If manure will enter the lagoon through a pipe or Start-up — Management
sewer line, the line should enter the lagoon below the Proper lagoon design and construction are fruitless
minimum pump-down level, or above the full pool if the lagoon is not properly managed. Many problems
level. This prevents ice from breaking the inlet pipe. The associated with lagoons can be solved with proper
pipe should extend into the lagoon and have a mini- management.
mum of 3 feet of liquid underneath it. Lagoons should be filled with water to one-third to
Inlets above the liquid surface are susceptible to one-half of the design volume before manure is
freezing at the end if small dribbling flows are present. introduced into the lagoon. This will ensure sufficient
Also, cold air can move up the sewer line into the build- dilution is available for the establishment of bacterial
ing if a trap is not provided. Pipe inlets below the mini- activity. This will also minimize start-up odors. Starting
mum pump-down level are generally preferred. Inlet a lagoon in the late spring or early summer months will
pipes must be rigidly supported. establish a bacterial population before cold weather and
EQ 387 Page 5
will help prevent excessive odors the following spring. must be made of durable materials and properly
Lagoons perform best when they are loaded contin- installed to afford the long life needed. The operator or
uously. Therefore, a waste management system should inspector should be able to ascertain the following infor-
be devised that loads the lagoon at least weekly, and mation when observing a pump-down marker.
preferably daily. Flushing systems provide ideal loading 1. When pumping operations should begin.
conditions for lagoons. Slug loading may produce odors. 2. When pumping operations should end.
Pumping and irrigating from the lagoon is the 3. Level at which overflow will occur.
single most important management item. In addition to 4. Fraction of total storage that is currently filled.
preventing overflow and the associated pollution poten-
tial, pumping removes dissolved and suspended solids A common practice is to install steel fence posts at
and allows room for the addition of dilution water the upper and lower pump-down levels for earthen
through rainfall or other means. Try to irrigate when impoundments. While this approach provides basic
odors are apt to be least offensive, that is, on days with information on beginning and ending pump-down,
low humidity or when breezes are blowing away from experience has shown that more knowledge is needed.
neighboring residences. Also, fence posts installed in this manner are subject to
If lagoons are not pumped and diluted, salt concen- damage and displacement. A good pump-down marker
trations may increase to levels that can inhibit bacterial will indicate the level, or elevation, of manure through-
activity. Salt levels in mature lagoons should be moni- out the possible range (from lower pump-down level to
tored yearly to ensure they remain at safe levels. overflow, or spillway) in the lagoon. Experience has
Electrical conductivity (EC) is a convenient field shown that a 6" x 6" treated wood post properly imbed-
measurement that indicates salt content. EC levels above ded makes a good pump-down marker. Notches or
10,000 micro mhos/cm indicate probable decreased other indicators can be carved into the post to show
bacterial activity, a buildup of solids, and increased odor. pertinent elevations. Painted numbers or colors on the
If odors are a problem, take lagoon samples post are not durable enough to maintain readability over
frequently to measure pH. If pH is below 6.7, add a number of years. Figure 4 shows a type of marker
hydrated lime or caustic soda (lye) @ 1 lb/1,000 ft2 of designed to meet the above criteria.
lagoon surface each day until the pH is neutral (pH = Permanent markers should be installed to show the
7). Even with a normal pH of 6.7 to 7.2, the lagoon can level at which pumping the lagoon should begin (1 foot
have excess odorous volatile acids. or more below full pool level) and the level at which
Pumping operations should begin before or when pumping should stop. Intermediate markings, such as
the lagoon level reaches the upper pump-down mark to at each foot, are desirable to better estimate the volume
ensure space (safety volume) is always available to hold of effluent in the lagoon. A depth gage with markings
the 25-year, 24-hour storm (about 6 inches in Missouri). every foot or less from the design level to the full pool
The MDNR guidelines call for pumping the lagoon
when the liquid level reaches the upper pump-down
Volume of 25-year,
mark. The volume between the upper pump-down 24-hour storm (typical)
mark and the spillway is the volume of the 25-year, 24- Ring notch at elevation
of spillway or overflow Spillway or
hour storm. This volume is called the safety volume. overflow
If the open-lot surface area contributing to the Upper
pump-down
lagoon inflow is greater than 70 percent of the lagoon level
area, the safety volume depth is computed using the
following formula:
80% of normal
6"x6" storage volume
Safety square foot lot surface x 0.5 feet treated
volume = 0.67 feet + ____________________________ wood post 60%
depth square foot lagoon surface area
40%
2" deep
notches
Pump-down or manure level markers typical
20%
Pump-down or manure level markers, or indicators,
are a simple but important component of a manure stor-
age facility. Such a marker enables the operator to ascer- End
tain quickly and easily the degree of fill of the lagoon, pump-down
level
the point at which pumping or emptying should begin,
and the point at which it should end. The presence of a
Set post at least 4' deep
durable, easily read marker gives inspection or regula-
tory personnel confidence that a lagoon is being
managed properly.
Experience has shown that pump-down markers Figure 4. Pump-down marker in an anaerobic lagoon.
Page 6 EQ 387
level can be an aid in determining the acre-inches to be dictated by the amount of P and K in the sludge rather
pumped down each time. than by the nitrogen content of the sludge. To obtain the
required land application area often requires hauling the
Pump-down and land application sludge a considerable distance and, possibly, obtaining
Preparation for lagoon pump-down should start a spreading agreement from another landowner to meet
before the lagoon level reaches the upper pump-down MDNR requirements for land application rate.
marker to leave the proper safety volume to contain a Sludge removal without allowing several months
25 year, 24 hour rainfall event. Agitation before and for the sludge to dry following removal of the liquid
during pump-down is recommended to remove settled effluent is usually an extremely expensive procedure
solids and achieve maximum nutrient recovery. If the (such as dredging) and on large lagoons with many
lagoon is to be agitated, a sample for nutrient testing years accumulation, may cost several hundred thousand
should be taken after agitation. See MU publication dollars. One university estimates sludge removal costs
EQ215, Laboratory Analysis of Manure, for details on at $0.005 to $0.05 per gallon.
sampling and tests. An alternative to a one-time removal procedure
Land application is the most desirable method for may be to continue to operate the lagoon with annual
making use of the nutrients and organic matter in applications to the available acreage based on a nutrient
lagoon effluent. Sprinkler irrigation or use of a towed- management plan and periodically adding water and
hose tractor-mounted applicator are the current practi- using agitation and pumping to gradually remove the
cal methods of transporting and applying large volumes solids.
of lagoon effluent.
Under the Unified National Strategy for Animal Recycling lagoon effluent for flushing
Feeding Operations, the desired outcome is for all Intakes for recycle pumps are frequently floated
concentrated animal feeding operations to develop and about two feet below the surface to minimize disturbing
implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan the surface crust or pumping sludge. The pump intake
(CNMP). CNMPs should address, as necessary, feed should be located remote from the waste inlet. A wet
management, manure handling and storage, a nutrient well should be considered as a convenience for instal-
management plant for land application of manure, land ling and servicing the recycle pump. For information on
management, record keeping, and other options for recycling systems, refer to MU publication G1158,
making use of the nutrients in manure. In addition to Recycling Lagoon Water for Manure Flushing Systems.
considering nutrients, the plan should address other Some operators choose to recycle effluent from the
pollutants, such as pathogens, to minimize effects of second stage of a two-stage lagoon system in an effort
animal feeding operations on water quality and public to reduce the level of odors and pathogenic organisms
health. in the buildings, and, possibly, to reduce crystallization
At a minimum, the nutrient management plan problems in the recycle lines. Pumping from the second
should prevent the application of nutrients at rates that stage may reduce plugging problems during irrigation
will exceed the capacity of the soil and planned crop from dairy and beef lagoons. The second-stage lagoon
needs and also prevent pollution. Soils, crop removal may be added to increase lagoon capacity when an
and manure should be tested to determine nutrient expansion in herd numbers occurs. A lagoon system
needs and content. Manure application equipment with two or more stages may create a dilemma in recy-
should be calibrated to ensure that the quantity of mate- cling the nutrients that accumulate in the first stage.
rial being applied is what is planned. Records of crops A 6- or 8-inch overflow pipe transports the solids-
removed annually and the total amount of effluent free wastewater from the first to the second stage in a
applied should be kept to maintain the desired nutrient two-stage lagoon. It should be located as far as possible
balance. Electronic totalizing flow-rate meters in the from the inlet(s) to the first stage so that no untreated
lagoon pumping system are frequently used by custom waste enters the second stage. The inlet of the overflow
applicators to calibrate the equipment and record the pipe should be submerged a foot or more below the
amount applied per acre. These meters are also a compo- surface of the liquid to prevent any floating solids from
nent in variable rate application. reaching the second-stage lagoon or clogging the inlet
(see Figure 5).
Closure of a lagoon
A nutrient management plan is required by MDNR Safety and appearance
for closure of permitted facilities. Sludge removal for Efforts should be made to make a lagoon as pleasing
closure of a lagoon when a livestock operation is termi- as possible. Berms and embankments should have a
nated will, under ordinary circumstances, require a good grass cover for appearance and erosion control and
much greater land application area than has been should be mowed and maintained regularly.
required for regular pump-downs during the normal Such practices help ensure access to lagoon areas and
operation of the lagoon. The land area required may be improve appearance. If a lagoon is within public view, a
EQ 387 Page 7
Berm Emergency Emergency
12" 12"
Constant 12" spillway 12" spillway
elevation
Start
Dilution volume Pumping
row of trees will help hide the view and may deflect winds A fence should be provided to prevent access by
(and odors) upward from the lagoon. A well-maintained children, trespassers and livestock. Post warning signs
lagoon is less likely to attract attention and cause contro- (SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY — KEEP OUT) and
versy than a lagoon with an offensive appearance. keep the gate locked.
■ Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of
OUTREACH & EXTENSION Agriculture. Ronald J. Turner, Director, Cooperative Extension, University of Missouri and Lincoln University, Columbia, MO 65211. ■ University
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